|
01 September 2010
Interview with Daniel Burgess 25.08.2010
How did you first become involved with the charity?
I first got involved with the charity in Guatemala during the summer of 2009. I studied at a Spanish language school for a week and volunteered for 4 weeks. The language school assigned me to Escuela Proyecto La Esperanza, EFTC’s school in Guatemala. Whilst there, I spoke with Sophie, the project co-ordinator in Guatemala, and learnt that the charity’s head office is in Nottingham – half an hour away from my university in Loughborough, so I was able to keep in touch easily.
Before you volunteered, where you the type of person that did charity work?
I had never done any volunteer or charity work before, no. I finished my degree in June 2009, decided to do a post-graduate Masters for the next academic year and I thought I would do something different during the summer, other than working like I normally did. I had studied some Spanish as part of my degree and so chose to go to a Spanish speaking country, which turned out to be Guatemala, to improve my Spanish and do some volunteer work. It has certainly given me a different outlook on life.
What do you do as a volunteer in the UK office?
I have got involved with quite a few things. One of the first projects I did was to improve the day to day accounting records, so (hopefully!!!) they are now more user-friendly and more month to month financial information is available. Also, I have helped out at numerous events, such as the Golf Day, the Hilton Dinner and T in the Park festival. I have written and edited articles and uploaded photo galleries for the website and done various other office tasks.
How would you describe you time in the UK office?
Volunteering in the UK office has been great fun. It was easy to fit in and the full-time staff are very friendly. It is only a small team here in the UK and, as such, a volunteer can really get involved and do things that are meaningful and have a direct impact. I feel I have made a difference to the charity by what I have achieved whilst helping out in the UK.
Have you been back to Guatemala since your first visit?
Yes, I went back out during the Easter holidays in April 2010. I fell in love with the school out there and that is one of the main reasons why I have stayed in touch and volunteered – it is an excellent project. I sponsor a child in the school, so it was great to return to see her and the class I worked with the first time. I have developed quite a few friendships out there with the children and also members of staff. I had a really good time.
You also sponsor one of the children, as you have said. How is that, what do you get in return?
For sponsoring a child, you receive some information about the child, letters written by the child a couple of times a year although, more importantly I feel, you have the knowledge that you are changing a child’s life. I have written some more letters to the child I sponsor and also to the class and have received something back, so may have received more than the average sponsor, but I do have a close association with the children in Guatemala as I have been out there.
Do you think it makes a difference that you visited the project and met the child you sponsor?
Yes, definitely. I would recommend to any sponsor to go and visit the project for themselves, if they are able to. I think it would mean a lot more to you and also the children would be delighted to meet you.
Are you hoping to visit again soon?
Yes, I am planning to travel in Central and South America in 2011 and start the trip by spending about 2 months at the project being a volunteer, so helping the kids with their work, teaching English and Maths etc.
What stays with you the most from your time in Guatemala?
The joy and the friendship the children have to give you. During my first trip, I didn’t quite appreciate the conditions that the children live in, but I experienced more of that during my second trip. It really struck home that, despite the poor quality of life, in the school the children are always so happy, have a lot of love to give and it was so easy to create friendships with them.
What is their home life like?
The majority of the children live in houses made from corrugated sheet metal and mud floors. They have very limited access to water and electricity, so it’s quite a tough life. The parents tend to have quite basic jobs, for example a lot of the mothers make tortillas to sell and it is a case of making enough money to survive the next day or week. It puts our lives into perspective.
What is your happiest memory?
My fondest memory is from during September 2009. I had volunteered at the project for 4 weeks in August, then travelled around Guatemala for 2 weeks and came back to the project for my last day before my flight home. Going to the school that day, entering the classroom and being greeted by all the kids jumping out of the chairs to give me a hug was quite special – a moment I don’t think I will ever forget.
And your saddest moment?
The time that I felt the most emotional was when I visited the house of the child that I sponsor. Her family is one of the poorer ones in the foundation and was quite eye-opening to see how her and her 7 siblings live: in a two-roomed house made of sheet metal, with a dirt floor, beds and a couple of bits of furniture falling apart. It was quite emotional.
What would you say to someone who is thinking of visiting the project?
Do it! Take the opportunity to go and see the project. They would get so much out of it, especially if you are a supporter as you can see the impact that you money has – helping to improve the lives of children out there. Also, there is a lot to go and see in Guatemala itself. There are some very beautiful places and some historical/archaeological sites from the Mayan civilisation
Are you looking forward to seeing the new school?
Yes I am. When I was there in April 2010, I saw the site that had been cleared, but no building had started. It will be really beneficial for the charity to have both schools on the same site. It will be a lot easier to manage.
Do you think you will come back and visit the UK office?
Unfortunately, I can no longer volunteer at the UK office as my Masters course has finished and I am moving back to Southampton. I want to continue supporting the charity, sponsoring my child and generally stay in touch. I’m sure I will come to some of the events EFTC organise and hopefully I will still be able to do a couple of things from my home, to help out. I should still be able to do some things on the website.
Was there a big difference between the first time you went, when you didn’t know so much about the charity, and when you went back in April, having worked in the UK office and developed your knowledge of the foundation?
It was different going back, having volunteered in the UK for a day a week for 6 months before and knowing more about the charity. It’s quite difficult to explain the difference...I had a lot more background knowledge, I knew the setup of the charity, what it was trying to achieve and I suppose I was able to look at it from a different perspective. Volunteers come and go – there were around 4 or 5 others while I was there - and a lot of them probably don’t become that involved and don’t quite appreciate what the foundation is all about. When I went back, I felt more of a part of the charity team.